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Mercimek Çorbası – Turkish lentil soup

Mercimek Çorbası is a simple Turkish lentil soup with red lentils, onion, carrot and mild spices.

Prep10 minutes
Cook30 minutes
Tid40 minutes
Servings4 servings
DifficultyEasy
RegionTurkey

About this dish

Mercimek Çorbası is a simple Turkish lentil soup with red lentils, onion, carrot and mild spices.

Ingredients

  • 2 dl red lentils
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, cut into small pieces
  • 1 potato, cut into small pieces
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp paprika powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 liter water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Rinse the lentils well in cold water.
  2. Heat olive oil in a pot and cook the onion until soft.
  3. Add carrot, potato and tomato paste. Stir well for 2 minutes.
  4. Add lentils, paprika powder, cumin, salt, pepper and water.
  5. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes.
  6. Blend the soup until smooth with a hand blender.
  7. Stir in the butter just before serving.
  8. Serve hot with lemon on the side.

Tips

  • Add a little more water if the soup becomes too thick.
  • Serve with bread and extra lemon.